Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-06-01
SABBATH DISSERTATION.

Editor OF me republican:
DEAR SIR:-The readers of The Re
PUBLICAN will perhaps be pleased to know
that there is now fair prospect Of hav-
ing the stores of this city closed on the
Lords Day" [ have visited every mer-
chaut on Main stIeet Tor the purpose of
ascertaining his mind with regard to the
closing of his store on the first day OF the
week, and am happy to state, that each
one Except two) expressed himself most
ready to close if all the rest did. Nearly
all the merchants of this city seem to be
thoroughly disguised with the state of
things as they now exist with regard to
the above matter, so that they will hail a
general closing up when the time comes,
and gladly avail themselves of the day of
rest, Zone of Germany's greatest poets,
has said: "Take the Sunday away from
man and you reduce him to a beast of
burdenr) provided By the Great Creator
and guarded by the State of Wisconsin,.
All that appears to be necessary now is
to tell or teach those who have been ia
the habit of trading on the LORDS Day."
to attend to their temporal work and
wants during the six appointed days of
labor.
[ would therefore very respectfully sub
NIT few considerations with regard to
the keeping of the first day of the week
according to the Word of God, and the
laws of this state.
In the first place, every Christian should
bear in mind, the claims of the above
day upon him.
The first day of the week is regarded
by all the denominations of ChristendOm
as the Lords Days" l. e. He has re-
served il to be employed by his people
according to His will and pleasure. There
fore no one on that day has a right to do
what seems good or profitable to himself,
any more than an employee has right
to use his employers day according to his
own preferences Should anyone do so
he would stand charged as guilty of dis
honesty at the tribunal of society, his
conscience and his God. Now the Lords
wills, that His day should be kept holy,
i. e. His people should serve Him, not
for one, or more hours of His day, but
during the Whote day; and in order 10
do this, the Christian, or servant of God
must separate himself, body and soul.
from servile work and earthly cares.
Moreover every citizen of Watertown
should bear in mind as citizen, the fact.
that it is the duty of every citizen to
obey the laws of his country. Now, the
laws of this state distinctly prohibit any
kind of work or business on the first day
of the week, except works of necessity and
mercy. They forbid in language unmistak-
able, the keeping open shop, warehouse
or workhouse. (Sec. 1896 R. 81 Can any,
one therefore claim the honour of being a
law-abiding citizen, who persistentlv yio-
lates law for his own special benefit
which has been made for the general well
fare of the community?
Every christian as christian and citizen.
as citizen, is therefore earnestly requested
to do bis duty-his duty to his God and
his country. After pointing out the
claims of God, and the claims of this
country upon each inhabitant of this
beautiful, healthy and in many other
respects inviting city, I need only add,
that, the keeping of the Lords Day, as it
should be kept according to the teaching
of the Book" and the enactments of
well-regulated society, has universazEy
served-"to shield mans dignity, secure
his liberty, advance genuine culture of
mind and morals, strengthen a good
family life, increase temporal welfare and
support the states safety"
F. A. HoLTZHAUsEN.
Watertown, May'28, 1887.